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[boglo]

Ok I know the batteries leak on these things, mine has been removed because of this.
So my question is will the thing run without it? or what other options do i have?

[Tenacious]

The A3000 is, I think, the only Amiga model that stores some SCSI controller settings in memory that is backed by that battery (in addition to the Real Time Clock). Probably, default values are used if the memory is corrupt, don't know for sure.

It is not difficult to substitute a better battery AND remotely mount it so a leak is much less consequential. I personally prefer rechargable cordless phone batteries.

[tone007]

Originally Posted by Tenacious

The A3000 is, I think, the only Amiga model that stores some SCSI controller settings in memory that is backed by that battery (in addition to the Real Time Clock). Probably, default values are used if the memory is corrupt, don't know for sure.

Pretty sure this is all correct, I've had a couple of 3000s with no battery and never had any trouble with them.

[lost_loven]

No battery (although might stick one in soon) and all is running good... smoooooth!

lost

[TenWheeler]

I have replaced my battery some time ago. I have issue with external SCSI device and more then one drive on the internal connected. But I think this are related to the ver 4 SCSI chip not the Battery being replaced. I just slapped a SCSI Zorro card in to handle the other devices.

[Azryl]

If you have a harddrive is it highly recommended that you have a working battery and real time clock for your A3000. Yes you will have some problems with external SCSI chains and you also run the very large problem of corrupted file system. I have had problems in the past with the FFS regarding date/time for the creation of files or folders.

When you have a problem with the FFS and need to run some form of disk doctor over the files you get time before creation problems. IE, the current time/date is actually before the time of the creation of your files!

Usually these need user input to get past, try clicking the mouse 30,000 times to fix your harddrive

I had a badly corroded RTC circuit and no clock! Got this fixed not longer after my marathon 30,000 clicks!

Az

[lost_loven]

Well if thats the case with the date and 30,000 clicks, Maybe one could date stamp it all with opus or something else of choice before putting the battery in . So for example if i bought a battery today and then before i installed it i date stamped everything (which would save the clicks) and the just shut off and install battery. Turn on and hope it works.. hmmmm Think i might buy a one this weekend and try! Did I repeat myself?

lost

[boglo]

Thanks for all the info I'll try it without the battery and see how it goes. I'll let you know ....

[motrucker]

You don't have to solder the battery to the motherboard. You can use any number of stand offs to keep a battery from leaking on the board. I have even seen batteries put in small plastic boxes, and Velcro-ed to the inside of the case. (looks odd, but it works). an extra couple inches of wire will not hurt a thing.

[aggro_mix]

I'm using SetBatt (IIRC) from Aminet in the beginning of my S-S to set my A3k scsi prefs at bootup and correct time from my NTP server as I never replaced the battery.

[matt3k]

You should be fine without the battery. Aggro has a cleaver way around it.

I would also recommend not mounting it directly on the mb. For years I was a purist, and only installed the green barrel oem's that weren't suppost to leak.. The stock of these is getting quite poor and may leak if the owner puts it in storage for years.

I'm now in the phone battery club. Would love to see other handy work here. I'm thinking of mounting in the hard drive bay and hooking up a disconnect. Anyone try this?

[Kawazu]

This is how i replaced my battery in my 3000D

[mechy]

Originally Posted by TenWheeler

I have replaced my battery some time ago. I have issue with external SCSI device and more then one drive on the internal connected. But I think this are related to the ver 4 SCSI chip not the Battery being replaced. I just slapped a SCSI Zorro card in to handle the other devices.

yes, the WD 4 is usually the cause. updating this usually helps. Using a zorro card is usually alot slower than onboard scsi(other than fastlane z3/4091).

without the battery you cant set the scsito synchronous which gives better speed.

mech

[mechy]

Originally Posted by Tenacious

The A3000 is, I think, the only Amiga model that stores some SCSI controller settings in memory that is backed by that battery (in addition to the Real Time Clock). Probably, default values are used if the memory is corrupt, don't know for sure.

It is not difficult to substitute a better battery AND remotely mount it so a leak is much less consequential. I personally prefer rechargable cordless phone batteries.

No offense ,but i think its dumb to mount ANY battery in a amiga that can leak when there are better alternatives like coin cells.
what you guys don't realize is the leaking batteries often outgas when they leak which is why on some amiga boards you may see corrosion far away from the battery on other components.the fumes inside the case travel.

If you don't like the typical 3volt CR2032 cells, use the LIR2032,its a rechargeable coin cell lithium that fits inthe same cell holder (you must still use the diode),but it starts at 3.6v instead of 3v and will generally be better off with the diode voltage drop and last longer. there are external wall chargers to recharge this coin cell,like the old cr2032, again it should never be charged by the amiga.

The 3000's battery mem holds several things, it allows the use of LUNS,it holds time and date,and allows you to set scsi into synchronous mode for better speed. it also holds settings for Speeding ramsey for ram access if i recall.

Mech

[mechy]

Originally Posted by Kawazu

This is how i replaced my battery in my 3000D

You did a nice job but it will eventually leak. It will now corrode the front of the case and possible led board now when you forget about it in some years. You have only relocated the problem.

mech